The Mental Health Shelf

Songwriter, poet and performer Matt Johnston (known by stage name The Narcissist Cookbook) discusses a shelf of items that help to turn down the noise of the world and mind. Along the way we talk about having overstimulation understood by others, showing kindness to yourself during difficult times and the human wisdom of Winnie-The-Pooh. You can find more from Matt on Instagram and Facebook . List...

Singer-songwriter and public speaker Rosalie Norton (sometimes known by stage name Lehali) sits down to talk about a shelf of united personal connection and self expression. During the conversation we talk about reflecting on growth, closing chapters and journeys through creativity and embracing anxieties by turning them into humour. You can find more from Rosalie on Instagram and TikTok . Listen...

Actor, comedian and performer Anna Soden joins me to talk about a shelf of simple, focused activities and self-expression. Throughout the conversation we talk about not looking back on work cynically, booking in time for yourself and ruining books in saunas. You can find more from Anna on Instagram and TikTok . Find where you can watch Rebuilding here. Podcast artwork - Lily Fossett Hosted on Acas...

Actor, singer, dancer and multi-hyphenate creative Suki Lopez sits down to talk about a shelf filled with a variety of group and solo activities. Along the way we talk about taking time to yourself, recognising that nerves are energy and understanding through visualising. You can find more from Suki on her Instagram . Listen to the wisdom of Tom Hanks around the 12:30 minute mark of this interview...

A sort of bonus episode (as the title suggests) in-between regular episodes where Jamie sits down to talk about three recommendations relating to self care, alongside calm and creative spaces online. Each linked below. Hopefully the podcast will be back to regular episodes with guests very soon! I'm Happy You're Here - "A comedy show about mental health" The More Or Less Definitive Guide To Self C...

Award-winning comedian and cook George Egg joins me to talk about a shelf of nostalgic items and security-creating comforts. Throughout the conversation we talk about dealing with grief and nostalgia through writing and the sensory and meditative experience provided by food and cooking. You can find more from George on Instagram and YouTube , George's cookbook, The Snack Hacker , is available to b...

Film journalist Tom Beasley talks to me about a shelf of simple items each with their own subtle complexities. Throughout the conversation we also discuss not worrying about what those around you think of your emotional responses, the forces that get you to press 'send' and being at war with magpies. You can find more from Tom on Bluesky and Instagram . Podcast artwork - Lily Fossett Hosted on Aca...

Emmy-winning director and puppeteer Noel MacNeal joins me to talk about a shelf with lessons about finding calm and motivation in what's around us, and simply 'being there' in each moment. Along the way we also talk about embracing your surroundings, how life can bring new meaning to music and songs and how Doctor Who can provide one of the toughest workouts. You can find more from Noel on Instagr...

Film journalist and game writer Gavin Spoors talks to me about a selection of items which have both appeared at formative times and been formative themselves. Alongside this we also talk about finding your community through the things that interest you and the regular points which help to add routine breaks from work. You can find more from Gavin on Bluesky , Instagram and Twitter , Read Gavin's f...

Singer-songwriter Thomas Benjamin Wild Esq joins me to discuss a shelf of stripped-back connections to the outside world, all helping to take time away from the blur of screens. Throughout the conversation we talk about the people and items which make home home, exploring the world and returning to safe and familiar environments and feeling comfortable playing the ukulele on stage. You can find mo...

A special show that was broadcast on Somer Valley FM as part of International Men's Day in 2024. I sit down with a handful of the station's presenters to talk about songs that have helped them in life. Throughout the conversations, topics include opening up about how you feel; and how that's changed over the years, finding help in different communities, inspirational figures and reminders of luck...

Award-winning writer and director of children's animation Ed Foster talks about a shelf of sensory items to get away from the day-to-day stresses of work and help connect to the outside world. Along the way we talk about taking a step away from the conversation to recharge, spontaneity being the fuel for creativity and a life of constructing many different tents. You can find more from Ed on Insta...

Musician and radio presenter Ella May Thomas talks about a shelf of various creative outlets and confidence boosters. Throughout the conversation we discuss the help and comfort of self-reflective media, the natural occurrences that can help build confidence and waiting for achievements to grow and develop instead of rushing into a crisis. You can find more from Ella on Instagram . Ella's website...

Musician and content creator James B Partridge discusses a shelf of close, sensory escapes to help calm anxiety. Over the course of our conversation we talk about connecting and sharing an experience with an audience and the calming nature of nostalgia and creative flow with no restrictions. You can find more from James on Instagram , TikTok , YouTube and Twitter . More information about the Assem...

Magician and presenter Emily Robinson-Hardy sits down to talk about a shelf of closely-held memories and personal strength. Throughout the conversation we talk about finding the right therapist, learning to grow with grief, the motivating force of coincidences and the life-changing power of Thor: Ragnarok. You can find more from Emily on Instagram . Watch Emily's appearance on Penn & Teller: F...

Co-founder of Mischief Comedy and actress Nancy Zamit joins me to discuss a shelf of personal comforts contributing to living an authentic life of self-love. Throughout the conversation we talk about recognising the signs of depression and knowing what to do when they show up, adapting to a new, unfamiliar space and the benefits of 'rage on the page'. You can find more from Nancy on Instagram . Re...

Tessa Williams, one of the founders of Forbidden Worlds Film Festival, sits down to talk about a shelf symbolising long-held close comforts and relationships. Over the course of the conversation we talk about the small ways to keep in contact with people, self-care during periods of anxiety and how scary night vision goggles are. You can find more from Tessa on Twitter . You can find more informat...

Comedian and writer Howard Read sits down to talk about items which help to get away from technology and provide knowledge of how to recover from, and potentially avoid, mental dips. During the conversation we also talk about working in a variety of creative outlets, how a simple sentence or conversation can lead to an experimental stand-up show and being confident in material when very few are do...

YouTuber SoundDrout joins me to discuss bringing people together through games and interactions on social media and getting better at socialising, and exploring, in the outside world. Throughout the conversation we talk about a range of helps from the immediate to those which need to be travelled to for the effect to be felt - all providing a strong sense of in-the-moment escapism. To find more fr...

Comic writer, artist and performer Kev F Sutherland dives into a shelf of personal joys, full of escapist images, fantasies and satire. Over the course of the conversation we talk about making friends with childhood heroes, how humour can be the best insight into another time and merging The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and The Bash Street Kids. To find more from Kev you can follow him on Instagram an...

Film journalist Helen O'Hara sits down to discuss a shelf of escapes and items which help with both mental and physical health. Along the way we talk about releasing emotions through escapism, making a comfortable space to live, diving into a major career shift and the wisdom of Terry Pratchett. If you want to find more from Helen you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram . Podcast artwork - Lil...

Award-winning magician and escape artist Gabriella Lester brings a shelf of personal stories and emotional development to this episode. Along the way we discuss acknowledging the good shows and trying to move on from the bad, appreciating the 'small' achievements and embracing weirdness. If you want to find more from Gabriella you can follow her on Instagram . Meanwhile, you can watch some of her...

Writer and festival programmer Timon Singh sits down to talk about a shelf full of close comforts and relaxing escapes. Leading to discussion of self-confidence, unconditional love from dogs and cross-sections of vehicles from Thunderbirds. If you want to find more from Ti you can find him on Twitter and Instagram . To find more about Forbidden Worlds Film Festival, and buy tickets to their upcomi...

Broadcaster and tech engineer Pete Helmore joins me to talk about a Mental Health Shelf full of long-term happiness and memories over short-term treats and luxuries. Amongst this topics include building (or not building) relationships with other people, places which allow you to show more of yourself and watching videos of lorries reversing. If you want to find more from Pete you can follow him on...

Co-founder of charity BillyChip Meg Abernethy-Hope joins me to discuss a very in-the-moment shelf of personal markers and comfort. Plus, we dive into her experiences of winning Miss Bristol, her moment of rebellion and how modelling acts as both an escape and a chance to put another side of herself across. You can find more from Meg on her Instagram . Meanwhile, you can find more about BillyChip v...